The Worldwide Board Licensed Lactation Advisor (IBCLC) examination is a extremely revered credential for lactation professionals. The examination is obtainable twice a yr, within the spring and fall. The 2025 examination dates have been introduced, and registration is now open. In case you are contemplating changing into an IBCLC, now could be the time to begin getting ready.
The IBCLC examination is a difficult however rewarding expertise. The examination covers a variety of matters, together with lactation physiology, breastfeeding administration, and counseling abilities. To organize for the examination, you will have to review diligently and achieve expertise working with breastfeeding households. There are a selection of sources out there that can assist you put together for the examination, together with examine guides, on-line programs, and apply exams. By following the following pointers, you possibly can enhance your possibilities of success on the IBCLC examination.
Turning into an IBCLC is a good way to advance your profession in lactation. IBCLCs are in excessive demand, they usually can work in a wide range of settings, together with hospitals, clinics, and personal apply. In case you are keen about serving to breastfeeding households, changing into an IBCLC is a good way to make a distinction within the lives of others.
The best way to Register for the IBCLC Examination in 2025
Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Necessities
Earlier than you possibly can register for the examination, you could meet the Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) eligibility necessities. These necessities embody:
- Holding a bachelor’s diploma or greater in a health-related discipline
- Finishing an IBLCE-approved lactation guide coaching program
- Having not less than 1,000 hours of supervised medical expertise in lactation consulting throughout the previous 5 years
Step 2: Collect Your Paperwork
To register for the examination, you will have to supply the next paperwork:
- Official transcripts out of your bachelor’s diploma program
- A certificates of completion out of your IBLCE-approved lactation guide coaching program
- A log of your supervised medical expertise in lactation consulting
Submitting Your Paperwork
You’ll be able to submit your paperwork on-line, by mail, or by fax. The IBLCE supplies detailed directions on the best way to submit your paperwork on its web site.
Step 3: Register for the Examination
Upon getting submitted your paperwork they usually have been authorized, you possibly can register for the examination. The examination is obtainable twice a yr, in Might and October. You’ll be able to register for the examination on-line or by mail.
The registration price is $350. You’ll be able to pay the price on-line by bank card or by mail by examine or cash order.
Step 4: Put together for the Examination
Upon getting registered for the examination, it is best to begin getting ready for it. The IBLCE supplies a wide range of examine supplies, together with a examine information, apply questions, and on-line programs. You also needs to overview the IBLCE’s Code of Skilled Conduct and Scope of Apply.
Step 5: Take the Examination
The IBCLC examination is a computer-based examination that’s administered at testing facilities around the globe. The examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. You should have 3 hours to finish the examination.
Step 6: Obtain Your Outcomes
You’ll obtain your examination outcomes inside 4-6 weeks of taking the examination. The IBLCE will ship you a letter that can let you recognize should you handed or failed the examination.
In the event you handed the examination, you’ll be issued an IBCLC certificates. Your certificates shall be legitimate for 5 years.
Research Information and Sources for the 2025 IBCLC Examination
1. Official IBCLC Examination Research Information
The official IBCLC examination examine information is essentially the most complete useful resource out there for getting ready for the examination. It consists of data on the examination format, content material define, and pattern questions. You should purchase the examine information from the IBLCE web site.
2. IBCLC Examination Preparation Programs
A number of organizations provide IBCLC examination preparation programs. These programs can offer you structured steerage and assist as you examine for the examination. They sometimes cowl the examination content material define intimately and supply apply questions and mock exams.
3. On-line Sources
There are a lot of on-line sources out there that can assist you put together for the IBCLC examination. These embody web sites, blogs, and boards the place you’ll find data on the examination, examine ideas, and apply questions. Some web sites even provide free on-line apply exams.
4. Beneficial Studying Supplies
Along with the official examine information, there are a number of beneficial studying supplies that may provide help to put together for the IBCLC examination. These supplies cowl a variety of matters associated to lactation and breastfeeding, together with anatomy and physiology, vitamin, counseling, and analysis.
| Subject | Beneficial Studying Supplies |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology |
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| Vitamin |
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| Counseling |
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| Analysis |
|
Examination Format and Content material 2025 IBCLC
Examination Format
The IBCLC examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, which have to be accomplished in a 3-hour 45-minute timeframe. The examination is split into 4 sections, every protecting a unique facet of lactation consulting.
Examination Content material
The examination content material is predicated on the Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) Job Evaluation, which outlines the information and abilities required of an IBCLC. The content material is split into 5 core domains:
- Lactation Counseling and Administration
- Anatomy and Physiology of Lactation
- Administration of Frequent Breastfeeding Issues
- Skilled Apply and Ethics
4. Breastfeeding Promotion and Training
Lactation Counseling and Administration
This area covers matters corresponding to prenatal and postnatal counseling, breastfeeding evaluation, and the promotion of breastfeeding as a public well being challenge.
Anatomy and Physiology of Lactation
This area covers the anatomical buildings and physiological processes concerned in lactation.
Administration of Frequent Breastfeeding Issues
This area covers the causes, prognosis, and therapy choices for numerous breastfeeding issues, corresponding to nipple ache, mastitis, and low milk manufacturing.
Breastfeeding Promotion and Training
This area covers the ideas and practices of breastfeeding promotion and training, together with methods for reaching various populations and supporting breastfeeding communities.
Skilled Apply and Ethics
This area covers the authorized and moral duties of IBCLCs, in addition to the ideas of evidence-based apply and high quality enchancment.
Examination Areas and Scheduling for 2025 IBCLC
The Worldwide Board Licensed Lactation Advisor (IBCLC) examination is obtainable a number of instances all year long at numerous areas worldwide. The 2025 examination dates haven’t but been introduced, however they are going to probably be just like the 2024 schedule, which incorporates:
Examination Areas
The IBCLC examination is obtainable in over 80 international locations and territories worldwide. The particular areas differ annually, however they sometimes embody main cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Scheduling
The IBCLC examination is usually supplied twice a yr, in Might and November. The precise dates and instances differ relying on the situation, however they’re sometimes held on a weekday.
Examination Format
The IBCLC examination is a computer-based, multiple-choice examination. It consists of 200 questions, which have to be accomplished inside 3 hours and quarter-hour.
Examination Charges
The examination price is about by the IBLCE and varies relying on the nation or area. In the USA, the examination price is $325.
Examination Preparation
It is very important put together totally for the IBCLC examination. The IBLCE recommends that candidates examine for not less than 200 hours, specializing in the next matters:
| Human lactation |
| Anatomy and physiology of the breast |
| Lactation administration |
| Counseling and assist |
| Analysis and evidence-based apply |
Proctored Examination Necessities for the IBCLC Examination 2025
Identification Necessities
Candidates should current two types of government-issued identification with their signatures and images. Passports, driver’s licenses, and nationwide id playing cards are all acceptable.
Private Belongings
Candidates aren’t permitted to convey any private belongings into the testing middle, apart from a timing system and a water bottle. All different gadgets, together with digital gadgets, have to be left in a chosen safe space.
Costume Code
Candidates are anticipated to put on applicable apparel that’s snug and permits for ease of motion. Athletic footwear and loose-fitting clothes are beneficial.
Take a look at Length and Break
The IBCLC Examination is a three-hour, 40-minute examination. Candidates are permitted one 15-minute break through the examination, which have to be taken at a chosen time.
Examination Format
The IBCLC Examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Questions cowl a variety of matters associated to lactation, breastfeeding, and human milk.
Testing Setting
Exams are administered in a safe and confidential setting. Candidates shall be positioned in particular person testing cubicles geared up with computer systems and headsets.
Expertise Necessities
Candidates should present their very own wi-fi headphones or earbuds that meet the next necessities:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth functionality | Should be capable to set up a wi-fi reference to the pc within the testing middle. |
| Sound high quality | Should present clear and intelligible sound replica. |
| Microphone | Not required. |
| Battery life | Should have enough battery life to final the length of the examination. |
| Ear match | Should match comfortably and securely within the candidate’s ears. |
Lodging for the 2025 IBCLC Examination
The IBCLC examination is obtainable with lodging to make sure honest and equitable testing alternatives for all candidates with disabilities.
Documentation of Incapacity
To request lodging, candidates should submit documentation from a professional skilled that verifies the incapacity and supplies suggestions for particular lodging.
Lodging Choices
Obtainable lodging embody:
- Prolonged time (as much as double the usual time)
- Assistive know-how (e.g., display screen readers, magnifiers)
- Separate testing room
- Scribe or reader
Process for Requesting Lodging
To request lodging, candidates should:
- Submit the “Request for Lodging Type” not less than 90 days earlier than the examination date.
- Present supporting documentation of the incapacity.
- Attend a pre-testing session with IBLCE workers to debate lodging wants.
- Submit your utility for certification.
- Pay the certification price.
- Full the required persevering with training hours.
- Keep your certification by renewing it each 5 years.
- Formal coursework
- Workshops and webinars
- Self-study with authorized supplies
- Shows and publications
- April 18, 2025
- September 19, 2025
- December 12, 2025
Confidentiality
All lodging requests and supporting documentation are stored strictly confidential.
Lodging Choices
IBLCE will overview the documentation and decide relating to the requested lodging. Candidates shall be notified of the choice in writing.
| Lodging | Description |
|---|---|
| Prolonged Time | As much as double the usual testing time, with breaks as wanted |
| Assistive Expertise | Use of specialised {hardware} or software program to help with testing |
| Separate Testing Room | A quiet and distraction-free testing atmosphere |
| Scribe or Reader | An individual to help with studying or writing the examination |
Examination Outcomes and Certification Timeline 2025
1. Examination Registration Deadline
The registration deadline for the 2025 IBCLC examination is [date].
2. Examination Date
The 2025 IBCLC examination shall be held on [date].
3. Examination Outcomes Launch Date
Examination outcomes shall be launched roughly [number] weeks after the examination date.
4. Certification Timeline
When you move the examination, you will have to finish the next steps to turn into an authorized IBCLC:
9. Persevering with Training Necessities
To take care of your IBCLC certification, you could full the next persevering with training necessities each 5 years:
| Class | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Lactation Administration | 25 |
| Enterprise Administration | 10 |
| Analysis | 5 |
| Different (e.g., advocacy, training) | 5 |
A complete of 45 hours of continuous training are required each 5 years.
Persevering with Training and Recertification for the IBCLC Examination 2025
The Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) requires IBCLCs to finish persevering with training (CE) and recertification to take care of their credentials. Listed here are the main points for 2025:
CE Necessities for Recertification
To take care of IBCLC certification, IBCLCs should earn 75 CE credit each 5 years.
Varieties of CE Actions
Acceptable CE actions embody:
Recertification Timeline
The recertification cycle runs from January 1st, 2021, to December thirty first, 2025. IBCLCs should full their CE necessities and recertify by December thirty first, 2025.
CE Credit score Monitoring
IBCLCs are chargeable for monitoring their CE credit. The IBLCE supplies an internet CE Monitoring System (CTS) for this goal.
Charges for Recertification
The price for recertification is $125 for IBLCE members and $200 for non-members.
Examination for Recertification
IBCLCs should move a recertification examination to take care of their certification. The examination is obtainable twice a yr, in June and November.
Examination Preparation
The IBLCE supplies a wide range of sources to assist IBCLCs put together for the recertification examination, together with examine guides and apply exams.
Examination Format
The recertification examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 3 hours to finish the examination.
Examination Passing Rating
To move the recertification examination, candidates should earn a rating of 70% or greater.
Examination Outcomes
Examination outcomes are sometimes launched inside 4-6 weeks of the examination date.
IBCLC Examination Dates 2025
The Worldwide Board of Lactation Advisor Examiners (IBLCE) has introduced the examination dates for 2025. The examination shall be supplied on three dates:
The appliance deadline for the April examination is March 10, 2025. The appliance deadline for the September examination is August 11, 2025. The appliance deadline for the December examination is November 10, 2025.
Individuals Additionally Ask About IBCLC Examination Dates 2025
What’s the easiest way to arrange for the IBCLC examination?
The IBLCE recommends that candidates use a wide range of sources to arrange for the examination, together with examine guides, apply exams, and on-line programs.
What’s the passing rating for the IBCLC examination?
The passing rating for the IBCLC examination is 70%. Candidates should appropriately reply 70% of the multiple-choice questions and 80% of the case examine questions.
How lengthy does it take to get my IBCLC certification?
The IBCLC certification course of takes roughly 12-18 months to finish. Candidates should first full the Lactation Advisor Coaching Program, which is usually supplied via faculties and universities. After finishing the coaching program, candidates should move the IBCLC examination.
